Tuxedo Park STL was first conceived in the early 1890s as a non-denominational meeting, worship space and Sunday school and last used as a house of worship by Jubilee Church. The completed building opened for business in 1895 as “Church at Tuxedo.” The congregants, needing more space after the building’s first decade of operation, raised funds, hired an architect, and built a more traditional worship space. The additional sanctuary, dedicated in January 1908, suffered a catastrophic fire in 1920, almost ending the building’s short life. The original congregation rallied and restored the main sanctuary and continued to use it until the 1950s. Over the next 50+ years the worship spaces changed little. All in all, seven different congregations have called 700 Tuxedo Blvd home.

At the close of 2005, Jubilee Church decided to sell and move out. In 2006 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. A developer purchased the building complex with plans to turn it into a multi-family dwelling, against the wishes of the neighborhood. The proposal failed, and the building fell victim first to the recession and then to the effects of water infiltration. By June 2016, the deterioration was accelerating and areas of the buildings were beginning to collapse. The former church was at a critical juncture: renovate or remove. This is when the building began its transformation from a worship space to a new life as a B&B.

Bill and Maureen both grew up in the St. Louis area. They have also both lived overseas, which gives them a perspective into their guests’ needs, whether those guests hail from near or far. They have always been passionate about old buildings and have owned several on the historic register or in historic-designated areas. Bill’s design/construction firm, Kenrick Design/Construction Services, is located in the restored original facility for the Southside Street Car Line, now home to several established and start-up businesses.

Bill continues to design and adapt historic projects throughout the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles. Maureen has entered a new career as innkeeper. An alum of Nerinx Hall and Webster University, both a short walk from the B & B, in many ways she has returned home. Her former careers as an elementary teacher, mother of three, and construction firm office manager have taught her the necessary flexibility and patience for inn-keeping. Add to that hobbies that include local site seeing, hiking, theater, cooking and the French language and you have a host ready to help tailor your stay.